3. How did the Soviet Union dominate Eastern Europe after World War II?
Unit 5 Lesson 2, Topic 7 Lesson 2
After World War II, the Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe by using military force, political manipulation, and economic coercion. The Red Army had occupied much of Eastern Europe as they advanced towards Germany in the final years of the war, giving the Soviet Union a strong military presence in the region.
Additionally, the Soviet Union installed communist governments in many Eastern European countries through political manipulation and rigged elections. These puppet governments were loyal to Moscow and followed Soviet directives on domestic and foreign policy.
Economically, the Soviet Union used its control over Eastern European countries to benefit itself, imposing trade agreements and economic policies that favored the USSR at the expense of Eastern European countries' economic independence.
Overall, through a combination of military force, political manipulation, and economic coercion, the Soviet Union was able to dominate Eastern Europe after World War II and establish a sphere of influence in the region.